The demolition of the Noida Twin Towers took place on Sunday, August 28, under expert supervision and care was taken not to affect the surrounding residential buildings. However, what is troubling environmentalists is the potential for large-scale air pollution for the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). Notably, the national capital averted disaster and the wind directions were a boon in disguise.
North to north-westerly winds blew clouds of dust that formed due to the greater eruption Noida and further towards Uttar Pradesh, Hindustan Times Experts cited.
Reportedly, just an hour before the demolition took place, the wind direction around the Supertech twin towers changed east, pushing the dust particles towards Greater Noida and Bulandshahr instead of Delhi.
Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board regional officer Praveen Kumar said that since last one week the wind direction was towards west but the change happened suddenly.
The wind direction therefore helped Delhi maintain a stable air quality, as evidenced by the Air Quality Index (AQI). The nearest Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) air quality monitoring stations at Okhla Phase-II, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range and Patparganj did not show any increase in PM10 concentration from 3 pm onwards.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast also shows that the wind direction is likely to remain north-westerly in the next 24 hours. A “The wind speed was strong on Sunday, but it was northwest and hence, will not affect Delhi much. There is a possibility of rain in Delhi also on Monday, so there is a possibility of dust accumulation in the air towards Delhi also and this event will have no effect.
National Capital Delhi A dust storm is no stranger to ‘poor air quality’ or ‘severe air quality’. Dust, which consists of coarse particles, is generally known to increase the local PM10 concentration in contrast to PM2.5.
The DPCC readings recorded a small spike in PM10 concentration levels after the demolition and remained the only change. According to the Hindustan Times report, the hourly PM10 concentration at the station increased from 130 micrograms per cubic meter to 149 micrograms per cubic meter by 2 pm, falling back to 132 micrograms per cubic meter by 4 pm.
“The wind direction is from north to north-west and after the blast, the dust gradually started flying towards Greater Noida. The wind direction is very likely to remain north-westerly till at least Monday afternoon and after that, it may turn east, however, still, Delhi is not likely to be affected by this dust as there is a change in wind direction. Generally leads to calm winds. Mahesh Palawat, Vice President, Skymet Meteorology.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) on Sunday was recorded in the ‘moderate’ category, with an AQI of 119 in a 24-hour period, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s daily national bulletin, released at 4 pm. goes. This was slightly higher than Saturday’s 24-hour average reading of 105 (moderate).
according to ‘early warning system for delhiDeveloped by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the air quality is not likely to deteriorate over the next few days.
The air quality in Delhi is likely to remain in the ‘moderate category’ on Sunday and Monday. The air quality is likely to improve then, but it will remain in the ‘moderate’ to ‘satisfactory’ category on Tuesday and will fall in the ‘satisfactory’ category on Wednesday.”
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